Chapter 26: Dancing "Cici, relax."

Huo Wenyuan's narrow eyes narrowed as he stood across from him, their breaths practically mingling as they tilted their heads upward.

Compared to last year, Huo Wenyuan had grown taller, with the typical broad shoulders and narrow waist. Thanks to his consistent training, the lines of his muscles were almost visible beneath his silk pajamas. Under the dim light, his deep features became even more angular, and he exuded his usual calm and aloof demeanor.

But when he looked at Gu Ci, his eyes revealed an indescribable tenderness.

"Brother Wenyuan..." Gu Ci recovered, taking a step back to steady himself. "Why you?"

"Isn't it okay?"

Huo Wenyuan asked confidently, as if visiting him late at night was a perfectly normal and reasonable arrangement.

Gu Ci: "..."

It was more than unreasonable.

Normally, when they could chat on WeChat, they rarely visited each other so close to bedtime.

He was about to ask Huo Wenyuan the reason for his sudden visit when he felt a hand touch his head and said softly, "You didn't even blow-dry your hair."

Gu Ci blushed, and before he could even begin to explain, Huo Wenyuan suddenly took his hand and, taking the initiative, led him into the ensuite bathroom in his bedroom.

The series of movements seemed natural and practiced, as if they had been performed many times before.

In fact, Huo Wenyuan did this frequently. Gu Ci's hair was fine, but it was still thick, and its length wasn't particularly short, making blow-drying a daunting task. Summer was often hot and humid, and Gu Ci sometimes found it tedious and couldn't help but want to take a break.

It wasn't a big deal until Huo Wenyuan caught him one day. Without a word, he dragged him into the bedroom and personally blew his hair with a hairdryer.

Gu Ci was terrified, and after Huo Wenyuan's stern lecture, he sat obediently on the small stool, refusing to move, fearing he might offend Huo Wenyuan. Huo Wenyuan quickly noticed his cautiousness and deliberately pinched the back of his neck, jokingly saying, "What? Will blowing your hair turn you into wood?"

Gu Ci murmured a small protest, only to be pinched and squeezed by Huo Wenyuan's soft, cheek-like flesh.

It became a habit. But it was unusual for him to visit so late.

The heat of the hairdryer lingered overhead, and Gu Ci felt a hand gently brushing the ends of his hair. Amidst the gentle rustle of the wind, his back brushed against Huo Wenyuan's chest as he moved. The contact of skin suddenly gave him a sense of security and comfort.

It was the feeling of being carefully cared for and cherished.

Gu Ci stole a glance at the mirror before him. Huo Wenyuan's expression was focused and calm, his every gesture possessing an incredibly captivating charm. He

glanced a few more times. Perhaps

sensing his gaze, which he wanted to see but didn't dare, Huo Wenyuan's gaze shifted towards him, and just as it was about to meet his gaze, Gu Ci quickly ducked his head. It

was quite a close call.

Just as he was feeling slightly relieved at his quick reaction, Huo Wenyuan's cold voice echoed overhead: "If you want to see it, go ahead. What's there to be embarrassed about?"

His tone was calm, but it made Gu Ci feel ashamed.

Gu Ci pinched his fingers nervously: "I know, I don't... I don't particularly want to see it."

After saying this, he felt embarrassed again and couldn't help but reflect: Oh my god, I don't particularly want to see it... What kind of statement is that?

Huo Wenyuan's mouth curled up, but he didn't expose him.

After blowing his hair, Gu Ci stood up and thanked Huo Wenyuan with a sweet smile: "Thank you, Brother Wenyuan."

"You're welcome." Huo Wenyuan reached out to tidy up the loose hair by his ears, "Sorry to disturb your rest."

"No!" Gu Ci quickly shook his head to deny it. "I haven't slept yet. It's just that we were chatting on the phone, and you came and knocked on the door. I didn't react at first..."

Huo Wenyuan understood what he meant and walked straight out of the bathroom, saying: "There are some things I think it's more appropriate to tell you in person."

Gu Ci followed him out and asked curiously: "What is it?"

Huo Wenyuan stared at his fair face, coughed a little unnaturally, and then slowly said: "Thank you for choosing me."

Gu Ci: "...Huh?"

... "Choose"? Is it about dancing?

Is this worth coming to your house to express your gratitude in the evening?

But Huo Wenyuan seemed genuinely here for this very purpose. He held out his palm to him, his eyes gleaming. "I regret not being able to attend the dance with you last year. If there's a chance this year, could I ask you to dance?"

Gu Ci: "..."

"Of course!"

Her fingers gently rested on Huo Wenyuan's. As soon as they touched, the other person's hand tightened, enveloping his fingertips in a tight grip.

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the wooden floor, and through their intertwined hands, Huo Wenyuan's warmth permeated him.

Huo Wenyuan's voice was deep and magnetic. "Do you remember the dance steps I taught you last year?"

Gu Ci nodded hurriedly, then shook his head.

...Well, actually, he had forgotten.

He wasn't much of a dancer to begin with. Last year, for the school dance, he'd improvised a request from Teacher Huo to teach him a few waltz steps. It didn't work out, so he ended up taking ballet lessons from Teacher Shang.

Although he was happy, he still felt a little regretful.

Huo Wenyuan's other hand had somehow found its way to his waist. "It's okay."

"I'll help you remember."

Under the warm yellow light, Gu Ci held his breath, gently raised himself on tiptoe, his left hand resting on Huo Wenyuan's strong right arm. Following his guidance, he took a step forward.

Moonlight played softly, insects chirped in a symphony, and two figures embraced, swirling closer in the silence.

It was hard to tell whether it was the gentle evening breeze or the alluring night, but in that situation, Huo Wenyuan became incredibly gentle. His steps were clearly uncoordinated, and he stepped on his toes several times, but Huo Wenyuan showed no impatience.

"Ci Ci, relax."

A light, woody scent crept into the crook of his neck, and Gu Ci's ears suddenly felt hot. He instantly lowered his head like an ostrich, searching the empty floor for something to distract himself.

Huo Wenyuan had just called him... Ci Ci?

...But that was clearly a name only a father would call him.

Why was he suddenly calling him that?

Huo Wenyuan noticed his absent-mindedness and said with a smile, "Did something fall on the ground?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his wrist and easily exerted force, pulling Gu Ci into his arms.

Gu Ci: "!"

What are you doing?

His cheeks were hot, and his mind was filled with the sound of "bang bang".

Huo Wenyuan was still smiling, facing him, and he was not stingy with his praise.

"Our Ci Ci danced really well."

Looking up, he met Huo Wenyuan's eyes, as deep as the night, and the "bang bang" seemed to be louder.

Huo Wenyuan patted his head and announced, "Let's stop here for today. We'll keep trying next time."

Gu Ci's fair cheeks flushed an unnatural red. He could feel the burning gaze without even looking up, but he nodded meekly.

After escorting Huo Wenyuan to the door and saying goodnight, Gu Ci slowly closed the door, palm resting on his left chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat, letting out a sound like a small animal's purr.

Why was Brother Wenyuan so good to him...

like a father.

Gu Ci dug an old diary from the drawer of his bedside table, found a certain sentence from a certain day, and circled it with a watercolor pen, "I want to be friends with Brother Wenyuan forever!" to remind himself.

Feeling that wasn't enough, he added another sentence next to it for emphasis:

[For life!]

-

The next afternoon, in Duxing Building.

Gu Ci and another biology class representative carried spare lab equipment into the lab to prepare for the upcoming biology lab.

The topic for the last few labs had been growing yeast, and according to their schedule, today was the day to test the results.

The results were announced, and the lab was filled with mixed emotions. Some cheered with joy at the success, while others were frustrated and depressed by the failure.

Gu Ci carefully removed the culture dish from the incubator and, after inspecting it, breathed a sigh of relief.

As expected, the yeasts were neatly arranged and almost uniform in size.

Shang Zui peeked out to join in the fun, feeling a bit jealous: "How come even the yeasts grown by such good-looking people look good?"

In comparison, his culture dish was nothing short of horrible.

Gu Ci thought it was a bit exaggerated and consoled the disastrous Shang Zui: "It's okay, maybe I didn't control it well enough. We'll work together next time, and we'll definitely be able to do it!"

Shang Zui's lip curled down in grievance, and upon seeing this, he was about to hug Gu Ci and act coquettishly.

Showing off his yeast, Qu Zhi grabbed Gu Ci by the collar and led him away. "What are you doing? Don't try to take advantage of this pretty girl!"

"Let's compete fairly!"

Shang Zui: "..."

Reaching out, he grabbed Gu Ci and provocatively said, "Who's competing with you? She's already mine!"

Qu Zhi was furious.

Gu Ci was already used to their bickering, and since he had a good relationship with Shang Zui, he didn't mind being held in his arms. Unexpectedly, the slightest upward curve of his lips met Huo Wenyuan's narrow, dark eyes.

"..."

Suddenly, memories of last night's embrace surfaced.

Gu Ci, feeling a little guilty for some reason, quietly withdrew from Shang Zui's embrace and leaned closer to Huo Wenyuan.

Huo Wenyuan lowered his head, fiddling with the petri dish, and said calmly, "Not bad."

Gu Ci asked, "What's good?"

Huo Wenyuan replied calmly, "You even knew to go home."

Gu Ci: "..."

He hadn't run away in the first place.

Watching Huo Wenyuan's actions again, Gu Ci couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Brother Wenyuan, are you writing with yeast?"

Inside the petri dish were letters familiar to the physics, chemistry, and biology contestants.

RNA.

Next to it, a number written in black marker: "11."

Gu Ci gave him a sincere thumbs-up and praised, "Brother Wenyuan, you're so talented!"

Why hadn't he thought of using yeast?

At this remark, Huo Wenyuan's expression became extremely complicated.

Then, the biology teacher, who had been passing through the judges from all over the world, stopped and exclaimed, "Wow, Huo Wenyuan created the most romantic biological code using yeast!"

This statement successfully caught Gu Ci's attention. Curious, he stretched his head out to take another look, but Huo Wenyuan silently withdrew the petri dish.

...Okay, I won't show you anymore.

Gu Ci turned back in disappointment. Shang Zui, who had witnessed everything, raised his eyebrows, quietly took out his phone, clicked on the search link, and his expression faltered.

...When did Mr. Huo become so unfashionable and non-mainstream?

After class, Gu Ci, clutching his books, and Shang Zui were picking out popsicles in the canteen. As they opened the packaging and headed out, they spotted the two men waiting, leaning against a century-old banyan tree.

The tree's shade shimmered like a waterfall, shimmering on the concrete floor. Huo Wenyuan lazily tucked his hands into his school pants pockets, tall and long-legged, his expression relaxed and indifferent.

Some distance away, he was hanging from a horizontal bar, jumping up and down, doing pull-ups, unbothered by the heat.

Shang Zui, holding a popsicle in his mouth, mumbled, "Little Gu Ci, how do you like the new Chinese style I recommended to you yesterday? Have you decided?" "

If I remember correctly, this one's only available in Asia."

Gu Ci took a sip of the old popsicle and nodded absentmindedly. Then, remembering that he hadn't received the link for the clothing item yet, he reminded him, "Shang Zui, remember to send me the link." "

?" Shang Zui pulled out the popsicle, looking even more surprised than Huo Wenyuan.

"You didn't ask Huo Wenyuan?"

Gu Ci replied, "I did."

Shang Zui replied matter-of-factly, "Isn't that enough?"

Gu Ci still didn't understand.

Shang Zui explained, "That brand belongs to the Huo family."

Gu Ci's eyes widened.

...No wonder Huo Wenyuan said he'd have the designer take measurements today. So, is that also part of the Huo family's portfolio?

He suddenly remembered the limited-edition doll in his bedroom, whose value had only grown. Back then, Huo Wenyuan, along with Butler Feng and the store manager, had conspired to deceive him, keeping him in the dark until last year. It wasn't until he accidentally captured it in a photo of his homework in bed and sent it to Shang Zui, that the truth was revealed.

"This thing costs at least five figures, and it's the only flagship model overseas."

Under the daily pressure, even if he didn't know, Gu Ci had a clearer understanding of the Huo family's financial resources and power.

Shang Zui licked his popsicle and gossiped with Gu Ci, "Huo Gou has been getting more and more flirty lately. I seriously suspect he's up to something."

"Gu Ci, you've been living with him. Have you noticed anything going on lately?"

Gu Ci disagreed, immediately correcting him. "You can't say that about Brother Wen Yuan."

"He's a nice guy."

Shang Zui, seeing Gu Ci's eagerness to defend him, muttered angrily, "I didn't say he was mean. It's a good thing you're not a girl, otherwise I'd have suspected he had bad intentions towards you."

"Pictures speak louder than words!" To prove his point, he pulled out his phone and showed it to Gu Ci. "Take a look at the 'romantic meaning' of RNA?"

Gu Ci took the phone and was stunned after reading it.

As they stood still, Qu Zhi suddenly rushed over and snatched the other half of the popsicle from Shang Zui's hand. Furious, Shang Zui chased after him and punched him. Gu Ci had no choice but to keep Shang Zui's phone and slowly walked towards Huo Wenyuan.

Huo Wenyuan asked, "Are you hot?"

Gu Ci shook his head.

Huo Wenyuan naturally reached out to take the book from his hand: "Then let's go back?"

Gu Ci followed Huo Wenyuan silently with a popsicle in his hand. Thinking of everything that had happened, he couldn't help asking: "Brother Wenyuan, why are you so good to me?"

Huo Wenyuan turned his head to stare at him and asked: "Is it true?"

Gu Ci nodded firmly: "Yes."

Huo Wenyuan smiled at the corner of his eyes and said casually: "Maybe I was also a RNA in my previous life."

Normally, Gu Ci would probably think that Huo Wenyuan was joking and teasing him, but just now, he saw another layer of folk meaning of RNA.

- I am willing to be an RNA, even if it is a single strand, but I can have U.